Fall fashion is giving us an inflated sense of self: On the Donna Karan, Céline, and Jil Sander runways, coats, dresses, and skirts assumed oversize proportions. Our favorite way to wear the season's voluminous silhouette is as a full skirt, such as Donna Karan's surprisingly flattering one. Here, five women make the amped-up shape fit perfectly. Donna Karan New York cotton skirt, $1,095, at Donna Karan New York stores.

"I love the '50s-inspired shape of the skirt," says Gledhill. "I wanted to play it up." So she wore it over a Christian Dior crinoline to exaggerate its retro silhouette. "But it's easy for a full skirt to become too sweet," she adds. She slipped on a corset "to add structure" and a shark-tooth necklace "to toughen up" the ladylike ensemble. "I wanted to look like a meaner Holly Golightly."

TOP

"The challenge was making a full skirt seem modern. This custom-made corset and Cushnie et Ochs sweater tee are feminine but sleek. I'd wear this to a dinner party."

ACCESSORIES

"The Balenciaga rhinestone bracelet and choker are girlie. But the tribal earrings and Nektar de Stagni pearl-and-shark-tooth necklace are more vicious-looking."

Goodman set out to streamline: "The shape is timeless and feminine—I wanted to see if it could also be sexy," she says. She tried on a leather jacket but ended up knotting a blue chambray shirt to show the tiniest bit of skin. "The material is lighter, which makes for a nice contrast with the skirt's heavy fabric," she says.

TOP

"I wanted something that was easy and fun, so I tied a Madewell chambray button-down over an Urban Outfitters bustier."

ACCESSORIES

"Marni makes really playful necklaces. This star-shaped one lightens everything up. The Hermès cuff goes with anything. And the Nancy Gonzalez clutch is the perfect size."

SHOES

"Sergio Rossi heels dress it up. I could wear this look for day or night."

"When I saw the skirt, I had a million ideas rushing through my head," says Nachmani. After trying on a crop top and black booties, she decided on a more androgynous look: "A masculine military coat made for a cool daytime look," she says. "It's long, but it complements the shape of the skirt."

TOP

"The Elizabeth and James white silk top is structured and simple. It elevates any look."

JACKET

"I collect jackets the way some girls collect shoes. This vintage Chanel raincoat is boyish, which juxtaposes nicely with the skirt."

"It's easy to introduce a new piece into your wardrobe if you pair it with items that are in keeping with your style," says Reck. For her, that meant classic accessories: a Céline bag ("It goes with almost anything"), Tuleh mink jacket ("It's short, which looks cute with the skirt"), and Yves Saint Laurent belt. "The full shape was most flattering after I cinched the waist," says Reck.

JACKET

"A short jacket works really well with the skirt. This Tuleh fur jacket, over a J.Crew top, adds texture—and I like that it looks a little grubby."

ACCESSORIES

"The Céline bag and Yves Saint Laurent belt are in the same tonal family as the top and jacket. I designed this gold-plate-and-Swarovski-stone necklace with Elizabeth Cole. The Rolex watch was my mom's."

SHOES

"My shoes are Prada. The skirt is long, so I needed some lift. In a funny way, wearing brown shoes with black looks clean and sophisticated."

Volume is trendy, but it can easily overpower your frame. "I was very mindful of proportion," says Lowther. "I knew that good heels and a slim-cut top would make this stylish." She tried a tight navy sweater cut low in the back and a little fitted jacket ("very Jackie O."), but ultimately switched to a simple white top and leopard collar. "It really let the skirt shine," she says.

TOP

"The white Zara top has subtle detailing—like the shoulders—which makes it special. I wear it with everything from jeans to fancy skirts."

ACCESSORIES

"I throw on this vintage leopard-print collar whenever I want to jazz up a simple top. The Hobo International belt nips in the waist and pulls the looks together. The J.Crew Edie satchel's emerald color really pops."

SHOES

"Jeffrey Campbell wedge booties are a modern contrast to the retro skirt."

Whether you are attending the sartorial circus that is fashion month, are watching from a distance or just want to look put together to welcome the new season, chances are you are in the market for some outfit inspiration. You’ve come to the right place.

The most versatile style on the scene, black ankle boots go with everything. While some iterations read classic and sleek, others are tough enough to ground sweeter pieces or feature luxe details that’ll punch up your basics. What’s more, the trending silhouette of the season, the block heel, is possibly the most comfortable style yet. From lace-ups to velvet to military-inspired, here are our favorites—all under $100. — Laura Lajiness

September 21, 2016

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